Difficult Lawyer? Sanity Check.

Yes, there's a smart way to move forward.

Uncomfortable truth: Sometimes the most difficult lawyers to support have excellent ideas and reasons for doing things.

Our job is to separate how we feel about working with them from the way we evaluate and react to their ideas. This can be challenging where stressful histories are involved.

The next time a difficult lawyer lights you up, consider the following before you react:

➡️ Has the lawyer had good reasons in the past for doing things a certain way, even when you disagree?

➡️ Does the lawyer get results?

➡️ Even if you wouldn't advise other lawyers in the way you are being asked, can you support this lawyer this way and feel you've supported the firm well?

If the answer to all three is yes, proceed with confidence. You may not like the activity or approach, but based on past history, it seems reasonable.

✅ Set aside your distaste and provide the desired support.

✅ Let go of conflict; it's not serving you in this instance.

✅ Rest easy. You've done what you need to, vetted the effort, and protected the firm.

We all need sanity checks sometimes. I hope this helps you regain a measure of yours! There are other, more worthy issues that require the best of your time, creativity, and energy. Don't let this one hang you up.